Saturday 30 July 2016

Mary sprints ahead in US newsquiz

The DailyMail.com trainees have had a good week with digital guru Adam Tinworth in New York. It was particularly good for trainee Matthew Wright who had his first story published on the Mail's website. He interviewed the family of the woman killed by the Atlanta Olympic bomb 20 years ago. It is a moving piece and definitely worth reading. You can read it here.


It was also a good week for trainee Mary Kekatos who once again won the newsquiz with 13.5 points. In the running total, she has now put a distance between herself and joint second Timothyna Duncan and Ann Schmidt. With one week to go, the Champagne is on ice. The 14 trainees head to London this weekend for more training, at the meet their London colleagues, at the Mail's London HQ in Kensington before they go off on their regional placements. 
Here's this week's American newsquiz. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.  

How many balloon? See Question 2


1. In her speech accepting the Democrat nomination, Hillary Clinton said of Donald Trump: 'A man you can bait with a Tweet is not a man we can trust with _____ _______’ What are the two missing words?
2. How many balloons were dropped at the end of the Democrat Convention?
3. Earlier in the week who was heckled and jeered after she announced she was standing down at the Democrat convention?
4. Who left the Democrats saying: 'We need a DNC which has as very different direction’?
5. What codename do the US Secret Service use for Melania Trump?
6. Donald Trump said: 'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the ____ _____ that are missing.’ What are the two missing words?
7. Who riled Bernie Sanders supporters at the Democrat Convention by saying the 'Bernie or bust people' were 'being ridiculous’?
8. President Obama paraded around the stage with Hillary Clinton after his final Democrat Convention speech to the sound of his 2008 campaign song. What is the song?
9. In her speech to the convention Michelle Obama said ‘When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is ___________’ What was the seven-word motto?
10. According to Donald Trump why did Hillary Clinton get rid of her middle name?
11. What did Florida football player Cristian Garcia do that prompted him to say: 'God put me in the right place at the right time’?
12. What was the name of the French priest murdered in his church in Rouen?13. According to German police, Munich shooter Ali David Sonboly, 18, saw it as a 'special honour' that he shared a birthday with who?
14. Why was Gloria Darden in the headlines?
15. Why did Patti Davis say her heart was sickened?
16. What happened to Bernie Ecclestone’s 67-year-old mother-in-law Aparecida Schunk this week?
17. Former tennis star Chris Evert said what had contributed to the downfall of her marriage to Olympic skier Andy Mill?
18. Who posted two pictures of his stepdaughter on Twitter saying: ‘We were all with her, surrounding her with love, at the end’?
19. Two teenagers were shot dead outside a bar and grill in Fort Myers, Florida. What was the bar and grill’s name?
20. Bill O’Reilly said on his Fox News program that who were 'well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government’?
21. Brazilian doctor Daniel Becker warned of a health risk at the Rio games by saying: 'Foreign athletes will literally be swimming in _____ _____’. What are the two missing words?
22. Which company announced its quarterly profits had soared 186 per cent to $2billion?
23. Who was handcuffed after an argument with a motorist who blocked the driveway of his Malibu mansion?
24. One police officer died and another is fighting for his life after they were shot in an attack in the Southcrest area of which city?
25. What did Kanye West say was his favourite part of wife Kim Kardashian’s body?

Answers here

Friday 29 July 2016

The newsquiz: 25 questions about the week

Last week’s runaway newsquiz winner was Lydia Willgress with a huge 21 points. She put it down to copytasting for the Telegraph and being sent to cover the events in Nice! It is still a very impressive score. Here’s this week’s quiz. As usual 25 questions about the week’s events. Let me know how you get on.   

The priest martyred by Isis (Q1)

1. What was the name of the French priest murdered in his church in Rouen?
Bonus: According to German police, Munich shooter Ali David Sonboly, 18, believed it to be a 'special honour' that he shared a birthday with who?

2. What was described by the GMB as 'bonkers' and by the Labour party as 'absolute chaos'? 
3. A High Court ruling dismissed a legal challenge against Jeremy Corbyn’s right to stand in the Labour leadership contest. Who brought the challenge?
Bonus: Labour leadership contender Owen Smith denied inciting violence against women insisting what he said was just 'a piece of rhetoric'. What had he said that prompted the 'apology'?

4. Who said of Sir Philip Green: 'Instead of writing a big cheque he is firing off lawyers' letters. He needs to stop messing around and write a big cheque’?
Bonus: After the damning report on the collapse of BHS, Sir Philip Green was pictured on his yacht in the Greek Islands. What is the yacht called?

5. The Democratic Convention which saw Hillary Clinton nominated as the first woman to stand for president was held in which US city?
Bonus:  In her speech accepting the Democrat nomination Hillary Clinton said of Donald Trump: 'A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with _____ _______’ What are the two missing words?
6. Which company announced its quarterly profits had soared 186 per cent to $2billion?
7. Why was 21-year-old Vicky Balch in the headlines?
8. Who was given a ten-week suspended prison sentence and was banned from driving for four years after being spotted drinking behind the wheel of his Mercedes?
9. Why did Patti Davis say her heart was sickened?
 
10. Who posted two pictures of his stepdaughter on Twitter saying: ‘We were all with her, surrounding her with love, at the end’?
11. What happened to Bernie Ecclestone’s 67-year-old mother-in-law Aparecida Schunk this week?
12. What did Jamaican rap artist Braintear Spookie and his girlfriend Summerlyn Farquharson organise?
13. Thirty five people from Albania, Brazil, Nepal and Egypt were arrested in raids by immigration officers on which restaurants in London?
14. A seven-year-old girl died after being hit by a stone thrown by an elephant from its enclosure at which zoo?
15. Brazilian doctor Daniel Becker warned of a health risk at the Rio games by saying: 'Foreign athletes will literally be swimming in _____ _____’. What are the two missing words?
16. According to Baby Center, a parental advisory service in America, an increasing number of newborns have been called Roselia, Ash, Eevee and Onyx? Why?
17. Former tennis star Chris Evert said what had contributed to the downfall of her marriage to Olympic skier Andy Mill?
18. Which company was criticised after it blamed Brexit 'uncertainty' for cutting 3,000 jobs and shutting 200 branches?
Bonus: Which company said it was to cut the 'capacity and frequency' of services, predicting that the result of Brexit will create a 'downward pressure’?
19. Prince Harry said he was what age before he opened up about how he felt about the death of his mother?
20. What are Noel and Sue Radford from Morecambe celebrating?
21. Christopher Biggins was the first person to turn up where?
22. Satoshi Uematsu turned himself in at a police station on the outskirts of Tokyo after killing how many people?
23. Why did model Natalie Harrison break off from her photoshoot at London's South Bank?
24. Ken Barrie, who died aged 83, was the voice of which popular children's TV character?
25. What did Kanye West say was his favourite part of wife Kim Kardashian’s body?

Answers here

Thursday 28 July 2016

Colin Theakston: Photographer who left a mark




I first saw this photograph in Harold Evans's book Pictures on a Page which was given to me by my parents when I first started out in journalism. Sir Harry said of the picture: 'The photograph of a newly-launched destroyer on the Tyne is an example of aerial perspective and of scale and mood. The receding foggy background and the dark foreground figures are symbols of size and depth; but the stance of the men is suggestive, too, of North-East phlegm and centuries of ship-building. There has been a gala launching and the flag flies; but have you seen my matches Fred?'.
The picture was taken by Colin Theakston and a few years after seeing it I had the pleasure to work with him at The Northern Echo. He was one of a team of excellent photographers and, although the snappers had a reputation of being snappy, he was a nice a man as you could wish to meet. The photograph above is excellent - and it is now believed to hang on a wall in Sir Harry's Manhattan study - but it was just one of many in a stunning collection. Colin died this month and a service will be held at Darlington Crematorium tomorrow. He was one of the good guys from a golden age of Press photography, who certainly left his mark. RIP Colin. 



Tributes on Hold the Front Page here and on The Northern Echo here.

Monday 25 July 2016

How the editor's job has changed forever




How has editing a regional newspaper changed in the last 30 years? When I took over the editor’s chair in 1989 I joined a band of demi-gods. They were men (yes, all men) who prowled the industry with colossal self-belief. Today, being an editor is very different. The change in economics, the reduced resources, the drive to digital, the need to maintain profits and uncertainty over the viability of print have had a deep impact. So, I asked seven regional editors who have had a foot in both periods about the changes. My article in InPublishing magazine gives their candid views. Read it here.







Saturday 23 July 2016

This week's newsquiz: 25 points up for grabs

There were some high scores in last week's newsquiz. Ted Ditchburn, Alex Richman and Ben Jackson all scored 17.5, narrowly beating Alex Murphy on 17 and John Penman on 16.5. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe were the top team with 18. Here's this week's quiz ... posted a little later as I was on an overnight flight back from New York. As usual, there are 25 points up for grabs, let me know how you get on. And if you really fancy a challenge, have a crack at the American newsquiz which can be found here

Terror in Munich (Question 3)
1. French newspaper Le Monde accused Theresa May of trying to exploit divisions between which two people?
2. Angela Eagle cancelled her constituency surgeries following threats and a brick being thrown through her office window. What is her constituency?
3. The gunman who killed nine people in Munich began his murder spree by shooting at diners outside which restaurant? 
Bonus: How many people were injured when an Afghan refugee attacked passengers on a train in Germany?
Bonus: How many people have been charged with terror offences relating to helping Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel prepare the Nice terror attack?
4. An off-duty serviceman fought off an attempted kidnap attempt outside which RAF base?

5. Introducing her father at the Republican National Convention, Ivanka Trump said: ‘He is colorblind and ______ _________’. What are the missing two words?
Bonus: Donald Trump upset members of an old English rock band by finishing his speech with one of their songs. Name the band and the song.
6. Fans walked out of a festival in Brentwood after Bob Geldoff swore on stage and said they were all wearing which brand of clothes? 
7. Why did boys at Longhill High School, Brighton, wear skirts for school?
8. Who looks destined to become Lady Glenn Affric?
9. What word did Taylor Swift say she had not heard during a conversation with Kanye West?
Bonus: What is the name of the song at the centre of the row between Swift and West?
Bonus: Who said: 'Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates.’?
10. How old were the two females who were sentenced to be detained for three years and three months after being found guilty of kidnapping a toddler in Primark, Newcastle?

11. Russian track and field athletes failed to overturn a ban from the Olympics. What date do the Olympics start?
12. Who took over as chairman and acting chief executive of Fox News in America?
13. Michelle Obama sang with James Corden for Carpool Karaoke. Who joined them?
14. Four photographs have been released to celebrate Prince George’s third birthday. One is of him offering ice cream to the family’s dog. What is its name?
15. Who is to replace new England manager Sam Allardyce at his old club, Sunderland?
16. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused which US-based cleric of being behind the failed coup? 
17. Why was a man, who would only give his names as Franck, hailed as a hero?
18. Liz Truss became the first female in 800 years to hold which position?
19. In which English market town did a man shoot dead his wife and teenage daughter before killing himself? 
20. What did Maurice Hunter forget to take on holiday with him to Spain?

Answers here

Friday 22 July 2016

Farewell for now to the New York trainees

DailyMail.com trainees in the New York office

I said goodbye to the DailyMail.com American trainees and to New York this afternoon. The trainees had a good final week with sessions by video editor Audrey Gruben, former trainees Kelly McLaughlin and Annabel Grossman, social media editor Chris Lawrence and editorial manager Andy Abrahams. Trainee Amanda Ulrich had an exclusive story, about live hermit crabs having their shells cracked open to become souvenirs, published on the site. Well done to her. You can read it here



The trainees have another week in New York and I will catch up with them at the beginning of August when they continue their training at the Mail's London offices. As usual we finished with the newsquiz. This week's winner was Mary Kekatos with 13.5, narrowly beating Zara Rubin on 13. See if you can do any better.


1. Donald Trump delivered his speech to the Republican National Convention after entering to the theme song of which film?

2. What was the name of the arena where the convention was held?
3. In introducing her father Ivanka Trump said: ‘He is colorblind and ______ _________’. What are the missing two words?
4. Who caused a stir on social media with people criticising her for 'wearing a bikini' and dressing like a 'cocktail waitress’?
5. Trump finished his speech to a song by an English rock band. Name the band and the song. Half a point each.
6. Who said: 'I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father'?
7. Who said: 'I'm sorry to be the buzzkill... but I think Trump is gonna win’?
8. What word did Taylor Swift say she had not heard during a conversation with Kanye West?
9. What is the name of the album that features the song ’Famous' that is the centre of the Swift/West disagreement?
10. What pseudonym did Gavin Long, the Baton Rouge gunman, use?
11. Paul Ryan posted a selfie with his interns, who were mainly white. What is Ryan's role at Capitol Hill?
12. Russian track and field athletes failed to overturn a ban from the Olympics.  What date do the Olympics start?
13. How many people were injured when an Afghan refugee attacked passengers on a train in Germany

14. Veep actor Peter MacNichol had his Emmy nomination withdrawn because he exceeded the number of appearances allowed. What was the category?
15. A construction crane collapsed over which bridge causing huge traffic delays?
16. Who said: 'Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates.’?
17. How many people have been charged with terror offences relating to helping Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel prepare the Nice terror attack.
18. Roger Ailes stepped down as CEO of Fox News saying he did not want his 'presence to become a __________’. What is the missing word?
19. Who took over as chairman and acting CEO of Fox?
20. Michelle Obama joined James Corden for Carpool Karaoke. Who also sang with them?
21. Which song did Michelle Obama and James Corden sing together, supporting her Let Girls Learn initiative?
22. Two Chilean tourists received cuts and bruises after being involved in a dispute with a naked lady over the size of their tip. Where?
23. What is LA-based artist Plastic Jesus's latest creation?
24. In which city was a therapist shot and wounded by police as he was trying to help an autistic man?
25. Four photographs have been released to celebrate Prince George’s third birthday. One is of him offering ice cream to the family’s dog. What is the dog’s name?

Answers here

Friday 15 July 2016

Give this week's US newsquiz a go

I had another good week with the trainees from DailyMail.com in New York. They had sessions with Nicole Pagano from the communications department, picture editor Jolie Novak, Femail editor Charlie Lankston, assistant editor Lucy Cockcroft and editorial manager Lucy Jones. The trainees also spent time researching and pitching exclusive stories (watch this space). We finished as always with the newsquiz. They did much better than last week. Well done Timothyna Duncan who was top with 15, narrowly beating last week's winner Mary Kekatos who scored 14.5. See if you can do better. 

If you are looking for the UK newsquiz it is here.  


DailyMail.com reports on the events in Nice

1. What was the name of the promenade where 80 people were killed in a terror attack in Nice?

2. The state of emergency which France declared after last November's deadly Paris attacks was due to end on what date?
3. What did Donald Trump postpone because of the Nice attack?
4. Why did Leshia Evans become instantly famous?
5. Who said at a service at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center that the 'soul of our city was pierced on Thursday night’?  
6. Dallas Police Chief David Brown spoke the lyrics of the song As at the service. Who wrote it?
7. Why was Kalyn Chapman James in the headlines?
8. Lamar Odom was ordered off a Delta flight twice, after he vomited all over himself following a night of drinking, at which airport?
9. Brandon Lara, 24, who was arrested with eight smoke bombs at a Black Lives Matter demo in Oklahoma City, claimed to be a member of which movement?
10. Who said of Donald Trump: 'He is a faker. He has no consistency about him. He says whatever comes into his head at the moment. He really has an ego.’
11. Which country said it 'does not accept and does not recognise' a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands?
12. How many nominations did Game of Thrones receive in the Emmy’s
13. Which Emmy nominee said: 'That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt’?
14. Twenty three people were killed in a head-on train collision in which country?
15. Thirty-three people were taken to hospital for treatment for a possible overdose in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning after taking a synthetic drug. What is it known as?
16. Who is Britain’s new foreign secretary?
17. Goldie Michelson, the oldest American, died at her Massachusetts home. How old was she?
18. What was unusual about Huma Mobin and Arsalaan Sever’s honeymoon?
19. Four basketball stars opened this year’s ESPY Awards in Los Angeles by asking for an end to gun violence and racial profiling. Name any two of them? Half point each.
20. Who is expecting his eighth child with girlfriend Melanie Hamrick?
21. Guitarist Joe Perry collapsed on stage in Coney Island while playing with what band?
22. Name either the band’s lead vocalist or other guitarist. Half point each.
23. Which NFL star apologized for posting an ISIS-style image of a man in black slitting the throat of a white cop, the day before the Dallas shooting?
24. Who took his final bow in Hamilton on Saturday night at the Richard Rodgers Theatre?
25. Dead bodies have been found in rivers in New Hampshire and Wyoming by people doing what?

Answers here



Test yourself with the newsquiz

Last week's newsquiz was clearly a toughie with, for the first time ever, no individual recording a score in double figures. Alex Murphy scored 9.5 - well below his average. The top team score was by the Penmans with a very impressive 18.5. Here is this week's effort - a little later than usual as it has been a particularly busy day. I suspect it is a bit easier. Let me know how you get on. 


Nice's morning paper on the carnage
1. What was the name of the promenade where more than 84 people were killed in a terror attack in Nice?
2. The state of emergency which France declared after last November's Paris attacks was due to end on what date?
3. How old was Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, the lorry driver who caused the mayhem in Nice and was shot by police?
4. Who cancelled a concert at the Allianz Stadium in Nice as part of the Anti World Tour?
5. David Cameron bowed out at Prime Minister’s Question Time, with a reference to his first despatch box exchange with Tony Blair, by saying 'I was the ____ ____’ What are the missing two words?
6. What role does Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd have in the new cabinet?
7. Who is the new Environment Secretary?
8. Name the cat that will be staying on at No 10 Downing Street and his foreign office counterpart? Half a point for each name.
9. What required 330 boxes, 30 rolls of tape and 3 rolls of bubble wrap?
10. Who cancelled the formal launch of a Labour leadership bid out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Nice?
11. Wimbledon champion Andy Murray broke with tradition by not doing what at the after-tournament party?
12. How many times has Serena Williams won the women’s Wimbledon singles title?
13. Lewis Hamilton’s F1 win at Silverstone means he is only one point behind which driver in the Championship standings?
14. The Euro 2016 cup final was invaded by Silver Ys. What are they?
15. Twenty three people were killed in a head-on train collision in which country?
16. What was unusual about Huma Mobin and Arsalaan Sever’s honeymoon?
17. Who is expecting his eighth child with girlfriend Melanie Hamrick?
18. Dead bodies have been found in two rivers in America by people doing what?
19. Why has the hashtag #CoiffeurGate been trending?
20. Which country said it 'does not accept and does not recognise' a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands?
21. In which city did residents dye themselves blue for the latest Spencer Tunick art installation?  
22.  Who said: 'Gay, straight, black, white, ginger, whatever – why wouldn’t you just have a test'?
23. Britain's oldest person former concert pianist Gladys Hooper died on the Isle of Wight. How old was she?
24. Tour de France race leader Chris Froome ran up which mountain instead of cycling it? 

25. Why was Flaviu in the headlines?

Answers here

Friday 8 July 2016

Have a go at this week's American newsquiz

I am in New York this working with 14 DailyMail.com trainees. They had an enjoyable week - cut short slightly by the July 4 celebrations. Apart from writing stories and learning Mail style, they had fascinating sessions with managing editor Rhiannon Macdonald, chief product officer Noah Szubski, assistant editor Hugh Dougherty and former trainee Clemence Michallon. Last night we had drinks with some of the newsroom at a nice Irish bar, the Copper Still.
This weekend they are out finding stories but before that we had the newsquiz - just to ensure everyone is forensically keeping up with the news. Congratulations to trainee Mary Kekatos who came top with 10 points. See if you can do better. 

If you are looking for the UK newsquiz, it's here.



DailyMail.com reports on the Dallas shootings 
1. Five police officers were shot dead during a rally in Dallas. Who organised the protest?
2. What was the name of the army veteran who has been identified as the Dallas shooter?
3. The shooter was killed by a police bomb after a four-hour stand-off at which college? 
4. Who said after the shootings in Dallas: ‘It’s a kind of anti-black mood, anti-semitism, anti-Muslim bashing, immigrant bashing, female bashing, a kind of mean spirited division in the country’?
5. Beyonce paused her concert on Thursday to display the names of police brutality victims. In which city was she performing?
6. Speaking from a Nato conference, Barack Obama described the killing of five police officers in Dallas as a ‘vicious, calculated and despicable attack’. Where is the conference taking place?
7. Why were Howie Lake II and Blane Salamoni in the headlines?
8. Who said her boyfriend 'didn't have any last words. His eyes rolled in the back of his head.’
9. The Republicans want an inquiry into whether Hillary Clinton lied at which 2015 hearing?
10. Who is the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee?
11. How did Beau Solomon die?
12. Serena Williams stormed into the Wimbledon final and declared: 'I'm in the in crowd now. I’m with ______’  What is the missing word?
13. A manhunt is underway for a serial killer who is targeting homeless people and has set two victims on fire in which city?
14. Nine of the 20 victims of the terror attack on The Holey Artisan restaurant in Dhaka came from which country?
15. How many people were killed in a suicide bombing in Baghdad last weekend?
16. Who celebrated his 70th birthday this week by biking in Texas with veterans?
17. What role did Eric Trump say would be well suited to his sister Ivanka?
18. What was Donald Trump speaking to in Cincinnati when he said: ‘Hello Hillary, how are you doing’?
19. What did actor George Takei describe as ‘really unfortunate’?
20. Why was Connor Golden in the headlines?
21. Which former Fox News presenter filed a lawsuit against the company's chairman?
22. Who is the chairman of Fox News?
23. Model Emily Ratajkowski featured in a naked photoshoot on a horse for which magazine?
24. The Spice Girls have confirmed plans to reunite as a trio. What is their new name?
25. Five Americans were taken to hospital on the second day of the running of the bulls at which famous festival? 

Answers here

Newsquiz: 25 questions about this week's events

Well done to Janet Boyle, top individual scorer in last week's newsquiz with 18 points. The top team performance was by Penmans Reunited with 17. Here's this week's quiz. As usual there are 20 questions, with five bonuses, so 25 points to be won. Let me know how you get on.

Tony Blair under pressure (Q2)

1. How many votes did Michael Gove receive in the second round of voting in the contest to become Tory leader?

Bonus: On which date will the next Tory leader be announced?
Bonus: What did Kenneth Clarke controversially call Theresa May?
2. According to the Chilcot Report, intelligence found by MI6 about Saddam Hussein’s alleged nerve gas arsenal may have in fact been stolen from which action film?
Bonus: Tony Blair wrote to George Bush eight months before the Iraq invasion saying: 'I will be with you, _________.’ What is the missing word?
Bonus: Who told the Foreign Affairs Committee that 'many of the problems we see in Iraq today stem from that disastrous decision to dismantle the Iraqi army and embark on a program of de-Baathification’?
3. Five police officers were shot dead during a rally in Dallas. Who organised the rally?
4. Who is the bookies' 3/1 favourite to replace Chris Evans as the presenter of Top Gear?
Bonus: What will the new Amazon programme hosted by former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond be called?
5. Which sportsman announced that depression had forced him to retire?
6. The Queen was handed a plastic bag of toys for George and Charlotte by a passerby who bought them at which high street retailer?
7. What is the name of the spacecraft that has entered Jupiter's orbit?
8. Five men died after a wall collapsed at which recycling site?
9. Model Emily Ratajkowski featured in a naked photoshoot on a horse for which magazine?
10. Serena Williams stormed into the Wimbledon final and declared: 'I'm in the in crowd now. I'm with ______’  What is the missing word?
11. Nine of the 20 victims of the terror attack on The Holey Artisan restaurant in Dhaka came from which country?
12. Nigel Farage has revealed in an interview that he would be ‘tempted’ to take part in what?
13. Who celebrated his 70th birthday this week by biking in Texas with veterans?
14. Actress Caroline Aherne died this week. How old was she?
15. What did actor George Takei describe as ‘really unfortunate’?
16. Police are investigating the deaths of a man and a woman which music festival?
17. Which company caused fury across France after referring to the country's victorious Euro 2016 football team as 'cheating bastards’?
18. The Spice Girls have confirmed plans to reunite as a trio. What is their new name?

19. Film director Michael Cimino died this week. Which of his films won an Oscar for best picture?
20. Which one of the six original character’s in the Cluedo game has been killed off and who is the replacement? Half point each


Answers here

Friday 1 July 2016

The newsquiz: 25 questions about the week

There is a slight change to the quiz this week. As the week was dominated by two or three stories, there are no bonuses …. just 25 questions. Last week’s top scorer was once again Alex Murphy with 18. He is certainly becoming the man to beat. The best team score was once again by the Batstone Collective with 18.5 ‘imperially measured' points. It must be getting too easy … or it could be that these last two weeks everyone has been forensically studying the news. A special mention to my mates in the Plough, Udimore, who scored a collective 16 and Thom Sands who got into double figures with 11. Here are this week’s questions. Let me know how you get on.

The National sums up the week
1. Theresa May and Michael Gove are the front runners to be the next Conservative Party leader. Name the other three contenders. Half point for two names, full point for three names.
2. Boris Johnson, in announcing that he would not be standing, said the next Prime Minister had to seize Britain's 'moment to ___ ___ ___ ___ ___’. What are the five missing words?
3. Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley, used which Shakespearean quote to sum up the situation?
4. Which MP called for Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation after she walked out of a press conference following comments about her by one of the leader's supporters? 
5. Pat Glass resigned from the shadow cabinet only two days after being appointed. What was her position?
6. Who said she would make a statement about her position on the labour leadership later in the day … but then didn’t?
7. Who told MEPs: 'I know that virtually none of you have ever done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or worked in trade or ever created a job’?
8. What is the full name of the airport where terrorists killed 42 people this week?
9. Ten people were taken to hospital after a rollercoaster accident in which town?
10. Who was the most-watched act at Glastonbury since 2008, according to TV viewing figures?
11. Why was policeman Sam Philpot in the headlines? 
12. Who said of the England football team: 'The Academy Generation - for that is what they are - soft physically and soft mentally’? 
13. What did outgoing FA chairman Greg Dyke say was the ‘harder question’? 
14. How many games did Marcus Willis, ranked 772 in the world, win against Roger Federer in the second round at Wimbledon?
15. How did British number 2 Heather Watson say she punished herself after her first round defeat to Annika Beck at Wimbledon?
16. Scotty Moore died this week aged 84. What was his claim to fame?
17. Why were the tolls for the Tyne Tunnel lifted?
18. How old is the woman who won a Court of Appeal battle to use her dead daughter’s frozen eggs so she can give birth to her own grandchild?
19. Which married couple are making their debut as the summer presenters of This Morning?
20. Who accidentally gets killed off in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie?
21. Gordon Murray, who died this week, created which children's TV series? 

22. Which city was recaptured by Iraqi government forces after being under ISIS control for two years?
23. Chris Christie is reportedly being vetted for what role?
24. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended a vigil at a memorial where 70,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave are commemorated. What is the memorial called?
25. What did Dame Judi Dench receive for her 81st birthday from her daughter Finty Williams?

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